Amber

 Good day to someone.  I'm not finding much enthusiasm for this blog anymore so I skipped another week.  I did a little better on scripture study than the last time it happened but still not near as good as when I share.  In other words not an acceptable state of scripture study.  My goals are again much the same as last week just because I did make some progress and I haven't yet really pinned down the tweaks I want to make to the changes I made last time.  Last week was mostly vacation or preparing for vacation.  

The three main goals are

1. Prayers

2. Exercise

3. Go to Bed

If you want more details see last post.

Monday:

* Elder Dyches of the 70 gave an amazing talk about "Light Cleaveth Unto Light".  It has actually been a sort of theme in my scripture study so I really liked it.  Light always beats the darkness, any amount of light and the darkness must give way for the light.  This is so with truth, it is like a light to our minds, truth shows us where the lies are and we can see the matter more clearly.  The more truth or light we have the more truth we can see and the more likely we are to choose more truth and light.  My favorite part is where he said that "The greatest source of light that Heavenly Father imparts to you in mortality comes through the Holy Ghost."  There is a great portion of the world that only relies on the truths found of man.  There are a great many but unfortunately those who don't acknowledge the spiritual are looking at things with a dim light.  The widely accepted truths of the world are not powerful enough to see all of the truth and are often distorted or hazy simply because there isn't enough light.  It is only when we use the more powerful light of the Holy Ghost that things become more clear.  We see what was missing and how things work together.  Better than that the scriptures tell us that the more we cleave to that light the more light we get, the more we can see, it gets brighter and brighter until the perfect day.  I assume until we know all truth as God does.

• Good on morning prayer and scripture prayer.  Poor on evening prayer.
• No exercise.
• Went to bed just before midnight.  I did actually get off the computer before I wanted to so I say that is a small success.

Tuesday:

* In section 103 there is bit where the Lord promises success against his enemies on condition of obedience.  Verse 7 says "by hearkening to observe all the words which I, the Lord their God, shall speak unto them, they shall never cease to prevail until the kingdoms of the world are subdued under my feet, and the earth is given unto the saints, to possess it forever and ever."  First of all it sounds really cool because that means the kingdoms of the world will all become one with the saints (unless they choose to be destroyed).  Can you imagine everywhere you went in the world was full of the saints of God.  We would prosper as a whole world, advances would be made, people would help one another, knowledge would be shared and gained at an increasing rate.  The other thing I thought was how it applies to me personally.  I will prevail against opposition no matter what if I am observing what God tells me.  On the other side the opposition will prevail if I don't and that is not acceptable to me.  I wish to progress and prosper in this life and help others as I go along and this is a promise from God that that can happen for me.

• Not great today, stayed up to late again and this time for no reason.  I got off the computer and was just up wasting time.

Wednesday:

* Elder Christofferson spoke about why we need covenants over just choosing to be a good person.  There is the obvious reasons, we need it to enter at the gate to eternal life, we need it to have the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we need it to get all of the blessings being a part of the Lord's organization offers.  The thing I'd not thought of before is this little quote "More than simply having good intentions, we solemnly commit to live by every word that proceeds forth from the mouth of God.... With covenants, we are intent on more than just avoiding mistakes or being prudent in our decisions.  We feel accountable to God for our choices and our lives."  For me wanting to be a good person because that is the best thing to be, because society or family expects it, or because it feels good are not enough motivation.  Making covenants with God is bigger than just being good.  It keeps you more accountable, directs your efforts, and gives you reassurance knowing God promised you help with keeping those covenants as well as other blessings for keeping them.  Way better than some vague I want to be a good person.

• Worse today but I'm about to start the period so I blame that in part.  I feel like a crabby monster today.  Also stayed up late again though I did it to get a little bit done so I feel slightly better.

Thursday:

• It started today and I'm not so grumpy but less enthusiastic.  I did stay up again but not near so late.
• Also I did read but was so tired from last night that I didn't find anything.
• It was a bad day, I almost did nothing all day, even though I did try in the afternoon.

Friday:

* Today was better with scriptures.  Section 104 talked about stewardships and people paying off their debts.  One little part was comforting.  Verse 80 "And inasmuch as you are diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith, behold, I will soften the hearts of those to whom you are in debt, until I shall send means unto you for your deliverance.."  Also part of 81 "it shall be taken away out of their minds to bring affliction upon you."  I'm not in debt but it is comforting that the Lord can soften people's hearts and even change their minds about injuring you if necessary.  There are endless blessings when we do our best to follow the Lord.

• Feeling pretty depressed today.  We had a nice cookout and I didn't have to entertain Grandma so that was helpful.  I did a little bit of everything but nothing very good.

Saturday:

* I didn't get much today but I will share a quote from President Nelson, "All our efforts to minister to each other, proclaim the gospel, perfect the Saints, and redeem the dead converge in the holy temple."  The temple is always the goal.  Missionary work is to get people to the temple not just get baptized or come to church.  The covenants we make in the temple and regular attendance give is power and ability to face the world and overcome our challenges.

• I did get a few things done today but not much on my goals.

Sunday:

* I'm feeling quite sick today.  I did poorly on eating sugar on Friday and I think I'm paying for it today.  Though not sure if that is all because I also few actually sick.  Nonetheless I did get my scriptures in today.  I liked verse 3 of section 105.  The Lord explains why they are not delivering the saints in Missouri at this time.  He says it is due to transgressions of his people, "they have not learned to be obedient to the things which I required at their hands".  This was a good reminder for me that whenever I am going through a rough time to look at see if I am doing my part as I was asked by the Lord.  Today I see I have fallen short on a few little things and I need to just go and do them before they become difficult things to go do.  Right now I can course correct so I am going to put aside my selfish wants and do what I know is best for my being.